Safe Harbour Program Finds Welcome in Saanich Police

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Safe Harbour Program celebrates 2 year anniversary of working in Saanich. Saanich Police have made diversity and inclusiveness a big part of their community work thanks to support from AMSSA's Safe Harbour Program.

Since 2004, AMSSA’sSafe Harbour Program has been spreading from its original home in Nanaimo, BC to over 1000 locations across BC and Canada. The Safe Harbour Program is funded by the provincial government’s Embrace BC program and is an award winning training initiative that builds respect and inclusiveness in workplaces, communities, and organizations. Through Safe Harbour training, people’s awareness towards acting respectfully and creating a welcoming environment is enhanced. Saanich Police, like so many other organizations, realized how much of their own organization’s community building goals aligned themselves with the Safe Harbour Program.

It was a simple decision for Saanich Police Inspector Brett Fryer who explains: “As leaders in the community, it is incumbent on the police to stand up and take an active role in creating an environment where all members of our community feel safe and welcomed. Being a designated Safe Harbour member allows us to create a welcoming place, supportive of diversity, and to say that the Saanich Police will assist victims of discrimination. I encourage any police service to put words into action by becoming a part of the Safe Harbour -Respect For All Program.”

The Saanich Police, a part of the Great-Victoria community, has been a champion of Safe Harbour since becoming a certified Safe Harbour member in 2012. Like many police forces across Canada, embracing diversity is a key strategic priority to allow for more seamless integration between officers and diverse residents in the community. Saanich Police recognized the value of being a Safe Harbour member and that joining the Safe Harbour Program put the meaningfulness behind words and policies.

Police play an important role in our communities but the public and the police are often focused on the arena of public safety. Programs like Safe Harbour help highlight the community building and outreach work that members of Saanich Police are doing in their community. Underneath the uniforms, officers and staff are members of a growing and diverse Saanich community, and working with the Safe Harbour Program is a reminder of the common humanity we all share. It is an important thing to remember when being involved in the community, and more and more police officers are being noted for the community building work that they do.